It’s Corpse Flower Season Again—Here's Where to Go to See the Rare Plant's Bloom

Published on May 28, 2025

After last year’s incredible Washington D.C. corpse flower showing—where two of these rare flowers bloomed almost at the same time—gardeners and tourists alike have been waiting with bated breath to see when (and where) the next corpse flower blossoms will appear in 2025. 

The Missouri Botanical Garden is about to delight its visitors with a new bloom expected to open any day now. The garden anticipates that its corpse flower, named Lucy, will open sometime between May 29 to June 3. 

What's So Special About Corpse Flowers?

Once a corpse flower blooms, the flower can stay open for as little as a single day. Visitors who are hoping to see the corpse flower open at the Gardens will need to time their experience perfectly, as Lucy will likely close again within a few days. 

Besides its impressive size and striking color, the scent of the corpse flower is what draws so many people to see it in person, but it’s not exactly a pleasant fragrance. The stench of "rotting flesh" is at its strongest during the first day of bloom, and this powerful smell attracts all pollinating bugs from far and near.

How to See Lucy Bloom for Yourself

The Missouri Botanical Garden has Lucy on display in the Garden's Climatron observatory. Once it blooms, visit during regular hours to see it for yourself—just keep in mind that the standard garden admission applies. The website recommends ordering your tickets in advance; general admission for the day costs $16. St. Louis City and county residents can enter for a discounted rate, and the gardens are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Corpse flowers take seven years to produce their first flower, and will only rebloom every two or three years after that. Seeing a corpse flower in real life is a rare occasion, especially since these flowers are considered endangered, with fewer than 1,000 corpse flowers still existing in the wild.

If you're not planning on growing a corpse flower in your own greenhouse, visiting the Missouri Botanical Garden at the end of the month is your next best bet.